UFCW Local 293 partners to donate $10,000

December 6, 2016

UFCW Local 293 was featured in The Grand Island Independent newspaper yesterday for their great work spreading holiday cheer and goodwill in the Grand Island area of Nebraska. Once again, our brothers and sisters at Local 293 are showing the rest of the country what partnership done right looks like:

Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 293 and the JBS beef packing plant presented a check for $10,000 Monday to six local programs that serve the Grand Island area during the holidays and year-round.

[aesop_quote type=”pull” background=”#ffffff” text=”#0054a6″ width=”30%” align=”right” size=”2″ quote=”No one should go hungry during the holidays and every kid ought to have a toy.” cite=”Terry Mostek, UFCW Local 293″ parallax=”on” direction=”left”]

The recipients were the Hero Flight program, Central Nebraska Humane Society, Christmas Cheer, the Salvation Army, Head Start Child and Family Development and Toys for Tots.

“No one should go hungry during the holidays and every kid ought to have a toy,” said Terry Mostek of UFCW Local 293.

Mostek, who has been coordinating the donations for 10 years, said this year they added the Hero Flight program, which give veterans an opportunity to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. They are currently raising funds for their next flight of Vietnam vets to the nation’s capitol, scheduled for the spring of 2017.

Don Shuda, Hall County veterans service officer and representing the Hero Flight program, said the donation will make it a reality for one Hall County Vietnam veteran to make the trip next year.

“Thank you,” Laurie Dethloff, CEO of the Central Nebraska Humane Society, said in response to the donation. “It makes a world of difference to us.”

Dethloff said the donation is especially needed this time of year for the many dogs and cats the society takes in during the holiday season. Dethloff said some people abandon their older pets, which puts additional pressure of the humane society resources.

Ammie Joyce, who represented Head Start at the ceremony, said the money it’s receiving will be used to fill food boxes for families during the holidays.

Major Chuck Yockey of the Salvation Army said its funds will be used to supply its food pantry for the holiday season.

Don Smith, representing the Christmas Cheer program, said the money will go to help feed needy families during the holiday season. Christmas Cheer helps families by giving out food vouchers at Christmas. In its 106th year, last year Christmas Cheer provided vouchers to 1,009 families and 3,479 individuals.

Heartland United Way operates the Toys for Tots program. Toys are given to kids age 12 and younger. The program serves about 2,000 kids each year.

To help the Heartland United Way with its programs or help organizations supported by the United Way, visit www.heartlandunitedway.org or call (308) 384-3178.

If you have stories of how UFCW members in your area are helping out in the community, email us at submissions@ufcw.org.